The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-30
THE BISHOPS STORY.


the highest dignitaries at the church.
II man whose name, were at liberty
to mention it, would command recog'
milton and respect wherever the En-
glish language is spoken-that heard
the stories which l am about to re-
late. am aware that TO give tho
name OF the narrator would add
greatly to the value OF the
account with many minds, and in
deed have no reason to suppose that
there would be any objection to my
mentioning 1t; but did not ask per
mission to do so, (having at the time
not the slightest idea of ever publish
Ing the tales and therefore | refrain.
The second story which the bishop
related to rs was OF a different char
acter, and its events took place at u
much later period OF his life. 1t APP.
pears that on the day in question no
had accepted an invitation to dinner
at certain house in one OF the mid.
land counties. Happening to arrive
somewhat earlier than usual, he found,
on being shown into the drawing.
room, that the hostess was not yet
down, the only occupant OF the room
being Roman Catholic priest-a
complete stranger to him-who was
seated upon q sofa intently reading u
large book. As the Bishop entered
the priest raised his eyes, made him n
courteous but silent bow, and again
resumed his reading. He was astrong.
ly built, active-looking man-appar-
emily rather muscular Christian; but
there was in his face an expression OF
WEAKNESS and anxiety that attracted
the bishops attention, and lie wonder
ed much within himself who he could
be and how he came to be invited to
that house. Soon other guests ap.
peared, and the hostess came down
so full OF apologies for not being in
readiness to receive her guest on his
arrival, that the questions he had in
tended to ask about the stranger
priest were forgotten for the time.
When seated next to his hostess at the
dinner table, however, they required
to his memory, and turning to her, he
remarked;
by the way, you did not introduce
me to that interesting looking priest
whom / found il the drawingroom;
who is he?"
Then looking along the table, he
continued with some surprise: "He
does not seem to have come in . din
ner."
A very strange look passed over the
hostess's face. us she said hurridly, al
most in u whisper: what, did you
actually see him, them"
Certainly | did,, replied the Bis.
hop; "but beg your pardon; | fear
have unintentionally mentioned sub.
ject which is unpleasant to you-per-
baps intruded upon some family Sc
cret. / had no idea but that the priest
was simple guest, like myself, and
his appearance interested me so much
that / wished to ask Cor an introduce
ton; but il you are anxious for some
reason that his presence here should
be concealed, need hardly assure you
that you may depend upon my ST.
lence."
"No, no. my lord" answered the
hostess, still in low tone, you mis-
understand me entirely, there is moth
ing which | wish to conceal, though
this is n subject which my husband
does not like to have mentioned. |
was surprised to hear that the priest
had shown himself to you, because
until now this has never happened ex'
cept to member of our own family.
What YOU saw was no visitor, but an
apparition."
IAN apparitionH" calculated the
Bishop.
YES" continued the hostess, "and
one whose supernatural character 1t
is impossible to doubt. for during the
two years we have lived in this house
il has shown itself perhaps a dozen
times to my husband and myself I'M
der circumstances in which either self
deception or imposition were quite
out OF the question. Since we cannot
explain it are well-assured that
it is due to atural causes, we have
decided peak OF it to any one.
But sil, ave seen Tiny lord,
will you ~ nc favorY"
"Most certainly, il it be within my
power" replied he, 81 have often
thought" she resumed, that il any
one could be found who had courage
to address it. we might perhaps be
relieved from its presence. Can you
will you-make some trivial excuse
for going back to the drawing.room
for few minutes, see il the priest be
still there, and. if he be, speak to him
od;ura him m danart from This